The theme for this year’s breakfast forum series explores changes that have occurred around the topic of health and wellness. How has the national landscape changed? A response requires public health professionals to dig deep into our roots to ensure basic needs of people are met and sound policies exist to achieve optimum health for all Minnesotans.

The forums will be in-person at the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul (new location). Check-in and a light breakfast begin at 7:30am. Forums begin promptly at 8:00am and conclude at 9:30am.

November 21, 2025…Immunizations

In the United States, there has been a consistent decline in routine vaccination rates, especially for kindergarteners, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued. Additionally, misinformation about vaccine safety and effectiveness, fueled by public distrust of health authorities and politicization of vaccine issues has contributed to increased vaccine hesitancy. The use of non-medical exemptions for school vaccination requirements is rising in MN. What is currently being done to improve vaccination rates and regain trust? What did we learn from measles outbreaks and are we on the verge of another outbreak? What may we see as a result of some states’ efforts to roll back school immunization laws?

Moderator: TBA

Panelists:  TBA

Register here!

February 13, 2026…Prevention therapies, healthcare treatment and drug approvals

Approval of innovative therapies such as treatments for hemophilia and heart disease, and the development of new oncology drugs has been accelerating. FDA has a current effort to expand safe options for pain management and a growing focus on combating the illegal import of counterfeit and illicit drugs. FDA is also working to streamline processes by promoting the real-time reporting of adverse events. The FDA is an essential agency—relied on not only by ALL healthcare providers to ensure drugs are available in the US, but also by other countries as a resource. Who is in charge of this essential health agency? Should AI be used to approve drugs? In what ways will global relationships and tariffs (particularly India and China, who are the MAJOR sources of drugs for the US) affect drug availability and costs? Are the efforts to reduce illegally imported drugs working?

Moderator: TBA

Panelists: TBA

Registration coming soon!

April 24, 2026…Nutrition and wellness

We have a global mental health crisis, including a recent acknowledgment that loneliness and social isolation are now recognized as public health threats. Women’s health is also receiving more attention, especially in the area of menopause. In addition, more people are trying to take control of their health through increased use of wearables and use of foods and supplements to try to improve their health. What are Minnesotans doing and using to improve their health? How has the personalization of health changed health metrics? Have there been changes to holistic mind-body approaches to health? What new information do we have on functional foods and supplements?

Moderator: TBA

Panelists: TBA

Registration coming soon!